deskjet500 won't initiate

I have a deskjet 500 that I have used for years without a problem.  Last week I cleaned out my HD and reloaded everything.  Now when I turn on the printer it will not go through the normal setup routine.  The lights will flash but it will not go through the normal "dance", although it is online.  When I send a document it will then go through the routine and print the document normally.  At this point it will operate fine.  I can turn it off/on and it will go through it's normal routine as expected, but if I turn the PC off or even restart it, the setup will again not occur until I send it something to print.  I tried a brand new cable, no luck.  I removed the LPT1 port and reloaded the drivers, no luck.  CMOS shows the port as "normal", it is not an ECP printer.  I'm at my wits end.  I wonder if there's a way to clear a buffer or something to get it back on track, some kind of power-on routine.  HP no longer provides support on this printer.  Appreciate your comments.